KUCHING: Approximately 100 participants attended the International Conference on Development, Environment, and Society (ICDES) 2017.
Organised by Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) in conjunction with the university’s 25th Silver Jubilee Celebration, the two-day conference will be held from 16 to 17 August with 49 papers being presented.
Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg was represented by Minister of Education, Science, and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong, who also read his text speech, during the opening ceremony of the conference at Riverside Majestic Hotel here yesterday.
In his speech, Johari said that as the state is moving forward towards achieving a high-income status; it is important that the state’s rich natural resources be utilised at an optimal level.
“This is crucial as we need to ensure that these resources could continue to generate streams of revenue as an impetus to long-term economic growth or even economic development of the state.
“With respect to this, all state agencies are playing important roles to ensure sustainable development goals encompass all environmental, social, and economic elements,” he said.
The Chief Minister added that they would continue to embrace the high commitment to ensure all policies devised and implemented in the state are in place to create a healthy, equitable, inclusive, and sustainable ecosystem in Sarawak.
“The challenge for policy makers today is on how to propel the economy to a greater height and with more direct positive impact channeled to its local communities,” he said.
Meanwhile, UNIMAS Vice-Chancellor Prof Dato’ Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi said that the development process today is different and that the development approach adopted over the last few decades may not be appropriate for today’s use.
“In line with the building of our nation and the preservation of the environment, it is important to put the emphasis on sustainability as one of the development agendas.
“Therefore, taking into account this kind of awareness, UNIMAS has made Sustainable Social Transformation as an important part of research related to development.
“For sustainable development to be achieved, it is crucial to balance the three core elements which are economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection.
“These elements are interconnected and all are crucial for the well-being of individuals and societies,” said Kadim.
